[Ontbirds] Common Flicker and Ruby-Crowned Kinglet at Mud Lake, Britannia Conservation Area, Ottawa west.
Tonight I had change to see 3 COMMON FLICKERS had mating games at the top of the tree. Never saw this before, was quite interesting. More common was couple RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET and bunch of SONG SPARROW also bunch of WOOD DUCK. Direction: Going from west: Take exit 129 toward Greenbank Rd/Pinecrest Rd/Ch. Greenbank/Ch. Pinecrest/Nepean, Turn left at Chemin Pinecrest/Pinecrest Rd, Turn right at Chemin Richmond/Richmond Rd, Slight left to stay on Chemin Richmond/Richmond Rd, Turn left at Avenue Poulin/Poulin Ave, Turn left at Priscilla St/Rue Priscilla, Turn right at Britannia Rd/Chemin Britannia, Turn left to stay on Britannia Rd/Chemin Britannia, Turn right at Cassels St/Rue Cassels Google map link: http://maps.google.ca/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=45.36879,-75.785751&spn=0.021708,0.057335&t=h&z=15 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Point Pelee--Wheatley --Rondeau---Traffic delays
Posted with permission from Mark Ontbirders: Of interest to any of you who use Highway # 3 [ Talbot Trail ] from Windsor to Chatham-Kent for Spring birding. Beginning Mon., April 21, 2008 Wind Turbine parts will be transported, via H # 3, from a ship in Windsor to a new Wind Farm in the vicinity of Port Alma--along the lake. There is a total of 44 turbines ; each turbine requires 7 loads = 308 loads. Some loads will be 196 ft. long. [ Wow ]. There will be Police escort, front and back, for every load. The loads will be on this highway from 8:30 a.m.--till 5:30 pm, every week day- Mon. thru' Fri. , for 12 weeks !!! Roughly April 21 to July 11. Week-ends are free. Police have issued a request that drivers find an alternative route. They have not printed a "Closed Road" statement to my knowledge, but have said to expect delayswell, I guess so ! Today, I took the journey from my house, in Blenheim, to the Harbour in Wheatley, a distance of 54 km. searching for a suitable alternate route. As soon as I saw the turbine "bases" in near-by fields, I drove North 1 concession, then turned South twds. Wheatley. This was in the Port Crewe area. These concessions running parallel with H # 3 were OK, but slow-going and already very dusty --with little traffic--today ! However, I discovered that they too had Wind Farm access roads across them --so may be of NO benefit to us. My only suggestions might be to get where you're going Early, and stay Late ! Don't we always anyway ? A Map Art of Southwestern Ontario will be a definite help. Do pack loads of Patience ! ---and the hardest task for me--Don't even think of parking on the road shoulders to see those flocks of Shorebirds. Those 308 loads are VERY WIDE ! + a lot of Police presence ! Of course you might just wish to settle at Rondeau Park for your birding. Those "Pelee birds" fly over us too you know. We'd love to have you ! Sorry, I have no suggestions, re roads, for our U.S. friends. Perhaps someone from the Essex- Windsor-Pelee area could comment on that. You will be "following " the loads, we will be "meeting" the loads. Hope this message is of some benefit--at least a "head's-up ". Irene Woods [EMAIL PROTECTED] Blenheim, ON Chatham-Kent Municipality ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Algonquin Park birding update: 17 April 2008
By the end of the week there was a little more open water where creeks and rivers flow into lakes (e.g., Long Lake, Lake of Two Rivers at Airfield), but all lakes are still ice- covered. Snow depth went down some, but snow cover is still very extensive in all areas not in direct sunlight. There is much more snow and ice in the Park than at nearby places such as Huntsville, due to the higher elevation of the Algonquin Dome compared with surrounding areas. This difference is reflected in later spring arrival by birds in Algonquin, as well. Very few new migrants were discovered this week until the last two days, when temperatures were warmer, including at night. Again this week, there was a mix of earlier than average, about average, and later than average arrivals. Below, the first date seen this week is followed by the average first date in brackets. Later than average first date: Green-winged Teal: April 16 (April 14) Ring-necked Duck: April 16 (April 8) Bufflehead: April 17 (April 12) Northern Harrier: April 17 (April 4) Close or equal to average first date: Common Loon: April 16 (April 15) Ring-billed Gull: April 16 (April 16) Ruby-crowned Kinglet: April 16 (April 15) Savannah Sparrow: April 16 (April 16) White-throated Sparrow: April 17 (April 16) Earlier than average first date: Blue-winged Teal: April 17 (April 24) Broad-winged Hawk: April 17 (April 21) Hermit Thrush: April 14 (April 16) Chipping Sparrow: April 17 (April 19) Vesper Sparrow: April 16 (April 21) Swamp Sparrow: April 16 (April 21) FINCHES: Common Redpoll: At least 3 were at the West Gate feeder this week, and about 10 at the Visitor Centre. Half a dozen were at seed put out at the Opeongo Road winter gate on April 15. Hoary Redpoll: One was at the West Gate feeder on April 16. This is a new all-time late spring date for the species in Algonquin. Previous latest was April 13. Evening Grosbeak: One was at the West Gate (April 16), and three were at the Visitor Centre (April 17). BOREAL RESIDENTS: Spruce Grouse: A male was on Spruce Bog Boardwalk near the register box on April 12. A female was along Opeongo Road, 1.1 km north of the winter gate, on April 15, and two Spruce Grouse were reported along Opeongo Road on April 17. Black-backed Woodpecker: No reports. Try km 8 on Highway 60, and Opeongo Road. Gray Jay: They were observed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: Try Spruce Bog and Opeongo Road. NOTEWORTHY THIS WEEK: The average date (28 years) of the first drumming by Ruffed Grouse heard in Algonquin Park is April 9. This year's date was late, on April 17. In late springs like this one, drumming is delayed until the drumming logs become free of snow. The first of three nocturnal owl surveys that are undertaken annually in the Highway 60 Corridor was done on April 15. The only owls detected at ten stops (2 km apart) involved a pair of Barred Owls just east of the Portage Store turn at Canoe Lake. This scarcity of owls was entirely expected following a winter of very low small mammal populations due to the virtual total absence of tree seed crops. Barred Owls went south in large numbers this year, and many that remained were clearly food-stressed as they hunted by day. It will be interesting to see the results of the other two owl surveys along the highway. We have yet to detect a Northern Saw-whet Owl in the Park this spring. Wild Turkeys have become regular in Algonquin Park since 2002. However, there is no evidence to date that they are present here during the winter (i.e., no sightings between December 20 and April 14). It appears that dispersing birds re-occupy the Algonquin Highlands each spring. On April 15, a first year male and three females were observed walking eastward along the margin of Highway 60 at km 6. This group had reached the km 29 to 33 area by the following day, showing the rapidity and extent of their movements. BIRDERS: Please let us know the date, number and location of birds you observe when you visit Algonquin Park. This information is stored in the Algonquin Visitor Centre database, and will help us to assist other birders here. Arowhon Road and Rock Lake Road are officially closed to public travel until further notice. Do not use these roads. Good birding. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, Ontario Directions: Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park. Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to the East Gate (km 56). The park gates are currently not staffed, but you can still get your permit there (by machine), and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) is available there too. The Visitor Centre has recent bird sightings and information, plus feeders. Birders visiting during the week are welcome to contact st
[Ontbirds]HSR: Beamer Conservation Area (17 Apr 2008) 903 Raptors
Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 17, 2008 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 55 2376 5064 Osprey 0 28 28 Bald Eagle 3 11 45 Northern Harrier 4 60 85 Sharp-shinned Hawk 236741815 Cooper's Hawk5 47 95 Northern Goshawk 0 2 3 Red-shouldered Hawk 5268606 Broad-winged Hawk 522568568 Red-tailed Hawk 65818 1925 Rough-legged Hawk0 22 54 Golden Eagle 1 2 7 American Kestrel 5 34 49 Merlin 0 4 5 Peregrine Falcon 0 4 6 Unknown Accipiter0 0 3 Unknown Buteo0 8 15 Unknown Falcon 0 2 3 Unknown Eagle0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 2 23 28 Total: 903 5019 9406 -- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter:Tom Thomas Observers:Brandon Holden, Colin Horstead, Mike Street, Peter Booker, Phil Waggett, Tim King Visitors: The great weather today and the hopes of a good Hawk flight, brought out many visitors..Linda Wills, Gail Ingraham,Keith Sealy, Brian Hawthorne, John Froom,George Pond,Barrie Jones, Jim Heslop, Bob Stamp, John Olmstead, Barrie Cherrier, Brandon Holden, Jean Iron, Ron Pittaway,Bob Curry, Glenda Slessor, Mike Street, Mike Myers, Colin Horstead, Phil Waggett, Tim King, David Sked, Kevin McLaughlin,Peter Booker,Marion Robertson and many others. If I have left anyone out or miss spelled any names, please accept my apologies. Weather: The weather today was sunny and warm. temperatures ranged from 17 degrees C. at the start of the count, and remained steady at around 20 degrees for most of the day. The winds again were very strong from the south west, but not as severe and as gusty as yesterday. Raptor Observations: Today's flight was dominated by Broadwinged Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Due to the strong winds, most of the flight today was at tree level and we had great close up looks at the hundreds of Broadwings and Sharpshins that came in and over the observation tower. Other raptors of note were a single adult Golden Eagle that came in low and fast and only a few observers managed to see it, three Bald Eagles, and some Red-shouldered Hawks. Non-raptor Observations: Other species seen wereUpland Sandpiper, Sandhill Crane, Fox Sparrow,Eastern Towhee,Belted Kingfisher, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Common Loon and Great-blue Heron. Predictions: The Next few days could be very promising indeed Report submitted by Tom Thomas ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at: http://www.hwcn.org/link/niaghawk/ Site Description: Beamer Conservation Area is located on top of the Niagara Escarpment above the town of Grimsby, Ontario. The site is 1km south of the south shore of Lake Ontario, 20km east of Hamilton, 40km west of Niagara Falls. Directions to site: To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 72, follow Christie St./Mountain St. to the top of the escarpment, turn right on Ridge Road West, and go 1.6km to Quarry Rd. Turn right on Quarry Rd. and drive 100m to the conservation area. Parking is normally available inside the park. If parking at the entrance or on the roads, do NOT leave valuables in your car. Please note: Data in this report is not official until reviewed and finalized after the end of the season. © 2008 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending April 17, 2008.
At Presqu'ile Provincial Park, the spring bird migration is no longer retarded. Most species are now arriving right on schedule, and some are even a few days ahead of time, certainly ahead of last year, when bird migration slowed right down in mid-April. Most of the ducks in Presqu'ile Bay are spread out over a broad expanse of open water. There are still hundreds (mostly scaup and Ring-necked Ducks), but not the thousands of a month ago. Red-throated Loons in Popham Bay have been fairly easy to spot with a scope in recent days because of good viewing conditions. The high count so far has been ten birds on April 17, but smaller numbers have been seen on each of the previous three days. As many as 20 Common Loons were counted in Presqu'ile Bay on April 14, with smaller numbers elsewhere around the peninsula. Five Red-necked Grebes were off the south shore of the Park on April 15. Great Egrets, some with magnificent plumes, have been seen both in the marsh and on High Bluff Island. A Black-crowned Night-Heron was on the causeway leading into the Park this morning. A minor flight of Turkey Vultures (at least 14) took place on April 14, and single birds have been feeding on the beach on two subsequent days. Ospreys were seen on April 13 and 14. Two Merlins were present on April 16. One of the next expected arrivals is Common Moorhen, which may already be lurking in the marsh. An American Woodcock was flushed near the lighthouse on April 17, suggesting that the migration of that species continues, even though others have been performing on territory for some time. A murder of American Crows led an observer to a well concealed Great Horned Owl. All of the expected swallows have been found this week at Presqu'ile except Bank Swallow and Cliff Swallow. The highlight of the week was a Tufted Titmouse that spent an hour and a half near the lighthouse on Monday morning. That bird, or perhaps a different one, showed up at 167 Bayshore Road yesterday evening and was singing there first thing this morning. Carolina Wrens are also singing in that area on most mornings. A male Eastern Bluebird, the only one of the season at Presqu'ile, was at the lighthouse on April 15. Two Brown Thrashers were singing at the calf pasture on the same date. Single Yellow-rumped Warblers were found on April 16 and 17 and three Pine Warblers on April 17. Two Eastern Towhees were present on April 17 and White-throated Sparrow numbers began increasing on that date after singles found on April 12, 13, and 15. A Vesper Sparrow, uncommon at Presqu'ile, was at the beach on April 15. Two Fox Sparrows continue to patronize the feeders at 85 Bayshore Road, occasionally in full song. Two Rusty Blackbirds were on the beach 1 access road this morning. An unwelcome pair of House Sparrows has taken up residence near 186 Bayshore Road, and an additional male was also there on April 11. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. Access to the offshore islands is restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there. Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road, Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0 VOICE: (613) 475 5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]WNY Dial-a-Bird 17 Apr 2008
- RBA * New York * Buffalo * 04/17/2008 * NYBU0804.17 - Birds mentioned -- Please phone in rare sightings for update Submit email to dfsuggs localnet com Thank you, David -- SANDHILL CRANE LA. WATERTHRUSH BL.-GR. GNATCATCHER PINE WARBLER Mute Swan Wood Duck Long-tailed Duck Red-shouldered Hawk Wild Turkey Virginia Rail Common Moorhen Greater Yellowlegs Wilson's Snipe Little Gull Bonaparte's Gull Herring Gull Iceland Gull L. Black-b. Gull Glaucous Gull Caspian Tern Common Tern Forster's Tern Yellow-b. Sapsucker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Eastern Phoebe Horned Lark Purple Martin N. Rough-w. Swallow Barn Swallow Brown Creeper Winter Wren Golden-cr. Kinglet Ruby-cr. Kinglet Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Yellow-r. Warbler Eastern Towhee Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Fox Sparrow Rusty Blackbird Purple Finch Common Redpoll - Transcript Hotline: Dial-a-Bird at the Buffalo Museum of Science Date: 04/17/2008 Number: 716-896-1271 To Report:Same Compiler: David F. Suggs (dfsuggs at localnet com) Coverage: Western New York and adjacent Ontario Website: www.BOSBirding.org Thursday, April 17, 2008 Dial-a-Bird is a service provided by your Buffalo Museum of Science and this answering system was donated by the Buffalo Ornithological Society. Press (2) to leave a message, (3) for updates, meeting and field trip information and (4) for instructions on how to report sightings and use this system. To contact the Science Museum, call 896-5200. Highlights of reports received April 10 through April 17 from the Niagara Frontier Region include SANDHILL CRANE, LA. WATERTHRUSH, BL.-GR. GNATCATCHER, PINE WARBLER and BOS April Count reports. April 15, a SANDHILL CRANE at sunset in the Buckhorn Island State Park marshes on Grand Island. For viewing the marsh, hike the gravel trail from the Eagle Overlook parking lot on West River Road. The crane was not found on the 16th. From Wyoming County, April 13, at the Carlton Hill Area in the Town of Middlebury, first report of LA. WATERTHRUSH and BL.-GR. GNATCATCHER, plus a surprising 34 COMMON TERNS. At Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island, several calling VIRGINIA RAILS on April 16, and COMMON MOORHEN at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo on the 14th. PINE WARBLER at several locations this week - the spruces near the tennis club at Amherst State Park; in Chautauqua County, PINE WARBLERS at Dunkirk's Point Gratiot Park and at Saint Columbans in Sheridan; and in East Aurora, at a suet feeder in a yard where PINE WARBLERS have nested in previous years. Also new this week, widespread GRAY CATBIRDS and FIELD SPARROWS, and in the Lake Ontario Plains, PURPLE MARTIN and VESPER SPARROW. Continued reports of YELLOW-B. SAPSUCKER, NORTHERN FLICKER, EASTERN PHOEBE, N. ROUGH-W. SWALLOW, BARN SWALLOW, BROWN CREEPER, WINTER WREN, GOLDEN-CR. KINGLET, RUBY-CR. KINGLET, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, HERMIT THRUSH, BROWN THRASHER, CEDAR WAXWING, YELLOW-R. WARBLER, EASTERN TOWHEE, CHIPPING SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, RUSTY BLACKBIRD and PURPLE FINCH. And still, small numbers of COMMON REDPOLLS, but no reports of Blue-headed Vireo yet. The BOS April Count was conducted on the 13th. Many of the previous species were reported. Other count highlights - LONG-TAILED DUCK on Francis Road in Bethany. On the Niagara River at Lewiston, 6 LITTLE GULLS and first FORSTER'S TERN. Upper Niagara County totals of 1400 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, 1550 HERRING GULLS, 3 ICELAND GULLS, L. BLACK-B. GULL and 2 CASPIAN TERNS. A single GLAUCOUS GULL at the mouth of Cattaraugus Creek in Hanover. And PILEATED WOODPECKER was found again at Wilson-Tuscaurora State Park in Wilson. Also this week, MUTE SWANS - one at Wilson-Tuscaurora State Park, another on Route 18 in Wilson, and in Ontario, at Lake Gibson on Beaverdams Road in Thorold, 3 MUTE SWANS plus an immature white SWAN that so far, has been a challenge to identify. A pair of WOOD DUCKS still in a yard pond in North Tonawanda. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK at Amherst State Park. In Batavia, a field with 39 GREATER YELLOWLEGS and 18 HORNED LARKS. Eight more GREATER YELLOWLEGS and 12 WILSON'S SNIPE on Wentworth Road in the Chautauqua County Town of Villenova. And in Buffalo, a WILD TURKEY on Forest Avenue near Delaware Park. Dial-a-Bird will be updated Thursday evening, April 24. Please call in your sightings by noon Thursday. You may report sightings after the tone. Thank you for calling and reporting to Dial-a-Bird. - End Transcript ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to
[Ontbirds]Even more Greater Snow Geese (East of Ottawa)
Hi Ontbirders, Without wanting to get into a numbers game, I have to report that Joel Nordenstrom & I found two significant flocks of Greater Snow Geese this afternoon (17 April) in the Riceville/Franklins Corners area north of St-Isidore. We estimated (conservatively) that the first flock numbered well over 50,000. It was in the same area as reported by Geof Burbidge (et al) two days ago, & was best viewed from Vallee Road (off Concession Road 12, east of Hwy 9). At least two of the geese had visible neck collars which will be reported for identification to the Canadian Wildlife Service. The second, much smaller flock, numbered around 5,000 & was visible to the north from Hwy 16 just west of Riceville. Many roads in the area remain closed because of flooding but Vallee Road & Concession Road 12 were fully accessible. Please contact me privately if more directions or information are needed. For general information, Embrun, Casselman, & St-Isidore lagoons still have plenty of ice & few birds were present today. The ponds & fields along Milton Road & Frank Kenny Road (just east of Ottawa) produced the regular ducks, including two Redheads, Blue-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Roger Clark Ottawa (613) 744-0314 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Quinte Area Bird Report for week ending April 17th
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA FOR THE WEEK ENDING Thursday, April 17, 2008 New arrivals this past week included BROWN CREEPERS, CASPIAN TERNS, CLIFF SWALLOW, LITTLE GULL, RED-NECKED GREBES, HERMIT THRUSH, and say it isn't so - the first YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS of the season! The latter species, along with the first RED-NECKED GREBES (13) and the first HERMIT THRUSH of the spring season, were all recorded at Prince Edward Point yesterday, marking a nice jump start in the spring migration. And more new arrivals below. The Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory opened for the spring 2008 season on the 15th April. Although it has only been running for three days the numbers banded have been good with 355 birds banded so far. A few COMMON LOONS are going over, as are CANADA GEESE with 200 seen on the 15th and 76 on the 17th. Apart from up to 75 BUFFLEHEADS, there have been few ducks offshore at the moment but they should pick up soon. The WILSON'S SNIPE and AMERICAN WOODCOCKS are calling in the field and a KILLDEER is noisily calling most days. MOURNING DOVES are moving with up to fifteen being seen daily. A BELTED KINGFISHER flew over on the 16th and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS are drilling holes in the trees for the sap. NORTHERN FLICKERS numbered 30 on the 16th and EASTERN PHOEBES numbered four on the 15th. A COMMON RAVEN was calling near Point Traverse on the 16th while at the Observatory the TREE SWALLOWS are starting to guard the swallow boxes. A NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW was seen in the harbour on the 15th and a CLIFF SWALLOW appeared on the 16th, and around the building two BARN SWALLOWS are present. A TUFTED TITMOUSE visited the feeder for about one minute on the 17th and BROWN CREEPERS are moving in good numbers with 45 seen on the 16th with similar numbers seen on the 17th. It looks as though the male GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS have already gone through and most of the ones being seen are females; RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS are just starting to move with 20 seen on the 16th and 50+ seen on the 17th. An EASTERN BLUEBIRD appeared on the 16th and the first HERMIT THRUSHES have arrived with 3-4 being seen daily. A BOHEMIAN WAXWING was seen on the 15th and the first YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was banded on the 17th. Sparrow numbers have been good with AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS on the 16th and 17th, and 20 CHIPPING SPARROWS arrived mid-morning on the 16th. FIELD SPARROWS are singing, and a VESPER SPARROW was seen at Point Traverse on the 16th. One or two FOX SPARROWS are being seen or heard singing daily, up to 40 SONG SPARROWS are singing and the first SWAMP SPARROW arrived on the 16th, the first EASTERN TOWHEE was singing on the 17th and at least three WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were seen that day as well. Up to 80 DARK-EYED JUNCOS are being seen as they feed around the Observatory. The first RUSTY BLACKBIRD arrived on the 17th and a COMMON REDPOLL was at the feeder on the 16th. Any vestiges of the winter are slowly disappearing, as the spring migration begins to take control. A few RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are still visiting feeders across the region and a handful of COMMON REDPOLLS are still hanging on at a feeder in Stirling. Two AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS are still coming to a feeder east of Lake on the Mountain, but at some feeders they have been replaced by CHIPPING SPARROW arrivals. A lingering PINE SISKIN continues to visit daily to a feeder near Lake on the Mountain. PURPLE FINCHES (6) showed up at a feeder mid-week at Glenora, likely spring migrants, and three were also at a feeder in Thurlow, and one at a feeder on George's Road, east of Northport. At Cape Vesey, in Prince Edward County, one bird feeder operator had a TUFTED TITMOUSE at his feeder both Saturday and Sunday which has since disappeared. FOX SPARROWS continue to turn up across the region. One was seen in a patio area of one home at the west end of Big Island, and in Kingston on the weekend, one was scratching about under the ornamental shrubs at the entrance to the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority's Education Centre. Other migrants seen during the week included 5 GREATER YELLOWLEGS at Cherry Valley on April 16th, and two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS on Barker Street in Picton. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS have been turning up everywhere, in some cases involving several individuals in local backyards. West of Consecon, two knocked themselves out when they flew against a living room window. EASTERN BLUEBIRDS are reported to be nesting near Tweed. As TURKEY VULTURES continue to increase in numbers and establish territories, a few amusing stories have come in. One west Big Island resident was concerned when two individuals perched on the property as his wife was still in bed asleep. Other stories have come in involving small kettles circling over the hospital in Picton, as well as over at least two nursing homes, the Whattam Funeral Home, and the local m
[Ontbirds]Brighton Wetlands and Lagoon
Hi everyone, the wetlands water level has been dropped, I will be open on Friday afternoon from 5pm to 7pm, and Sunday from 9am till 12am. Please don't drive into the wetland, everyone young and old welcome, I have a spare set of Binoculars and my scope is always available. See you there, if these times are not good for you let me know I might be able to set up a time. Cell # 613-391-9142 Home # 613-475-0881 Directions: The Constructed Wetland is located at the SE corner of Brighton. From Hwy 401, take the Brighton exit (Hwy. 30)and follow it south into town. Go south through the two traffic lights, over the railway tracks and follow the main road, now called Prince Edward Street, south. About 1 km south of the tracks, the main road begins to swing to the left and becomes Cty. Rd. 64. As this long turn ends, the constructed wetlands appear on the right side. There is room to park on the edge (shoulder) of the road, but use your own judgment. Keith " Tiny" Lee ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]blue-gray gnatcatcher at Cranberry; pine warbler at Thickson's--Apr.17
Joyce Collier-Brown and Bettina Murphy had a wonderful view of a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at 0945 on Apr.17 near the end of the south pathway leading toward Cranberry Marsh. We had earlier viewed 17 white-tailed deer in the field to the west of Hall's rd., along with a beautifully displaying male Wild Turkey. On the wetland were all of the recently-reported waterfowl, highlights being 5+ Ruddy Ducks, Northern Shoveler and Blue-winged Teal. Patient watching and listening at Thickson's Woods enabled us to locate White-throated Sparrows, Winter Wrens, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrushes, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, N.Flickers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, etc. Others had seen Pine Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, Savannah Sparrow and Brown Thrasher. Cranberry is at the bottom of Hall's Rd., accessed from Victoria St. in southwest Whitby, 1 block east of Lakeridge Rd. Thickson's Woods is a White Pine tract to the east of the south end of Thickson Rd., alongside Lake Ontario. Doug Lockrey, Whitby ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Grerat Egret east of Ottawa
Hi, Found a Great Egret east of Cobb's Creek (east of Bourget) this morning. On the far side of Cobb's Creek.beyond the major part of the flooded area after the left turn on #2 but before the right turn toward Alfred.. Jean Griffin ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Directions to Kipling spit (Colonel Sam)
Sorry: ? Directions to Kipling Spit ( Colonel Sam); QEW ( east or west) exit at Kipling St in West Toronto. Drive south to lake Ontario ( south of Lakeshore Rd) to the furthest south parking lot. NE corner of Campus is? very close to Lakeshore Rd., south side; 100 m east of Kipling Ave & Lakeshore Rd intersection. 2347 Nikanna Rd. Mississauga, Ontario CANADA, L5C2W8 905-2734596 BE at Peace with Nature ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Warblers plus at Kipling spit ( Colonel Sam)
This AM I spent 2 h birding & videoing birds at Colonel Sam ( Kipling Spit):
Here are the Hilights;
{{ Not to worry spring is here!!}}
Pine Warblers 2? ( at Lakeshore, NE of "Campus area")
Yellow-rumped Warblers 3 ( at Lakeshore NE and? creek entrance behind pump)
Hermit Thrush? 1? ( behind Humber College main building)
Ruby-crowned Kinglets? 6?
Short-eared Owl ( grassy area? SE of?southernmost parking spot) being mobbed by
RB & Herring gulls!!
Northern Shrike?( west of Father Redmond High School, it has been in the area
since January!)
Caspian Terns 6
Bonaparte's Gulls 2
Black-crowned Night Herons 2
Killdeer? 8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker? 1
Eastern Towhee? 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Northern Flicker 6
Northern Mockingbirds? 2
Tree Swallows? 30+
Barn Swallows? 6
Rough-winged Swallows 2
Purple Martins 2
White-breasted Nuthatch? 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Savannah Sparrows? 4
White-throated Sparrows 2
Song Sparrow? 60+
Coots 4
Common?Loon ( spring plumage)? 4
Red-necked Grebes? 150
Horned?Grebes 25
Red-breasted Merganser 50+
Common Mergansers? 6
Hooded Merganser 2
Lesser Scaups 30+
Greater Scaups 20
Redheads 4
American Wigeons? 2
Wood Ducks? 5
plus 20 more common birds species
and 30 subspecies of Canis familiaris
Enjoy!
?
2347 Nikanna Rd.
Mississauga, Ontario
CANADA, L5C2W8
905-2734596 BE at Peace with Nature
___
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Reesor Pond - note
Reesor Pond this morning: one Common Yellowthroat, pair of Spotted Sandpipers, pair of Northern Shovellers - Reesor Pond lies just North fo Hwy 407 on Reesor Road in Markham-cheers - Stan Long ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]>30,000 greater snow geese - Fournier ON, April 15
I would like to boost Brian Morin's totals of Greater Snow Geese in the Eastern Ontario flyway. On the evening of April 15th there were at least 30,000 very noisy snow geese visible on the floodwater beside the north levee of the South Nation, just east of where 9 crosses the river. We travelled as far as we could east along concession road 12, a hundred metres north of that bridge, and heard an even louder cacophony coming from the adjacent fields, where there were about equal numbers of CAGO and snow geese arriving in flocks of hundreds as the light faded. We await reports from Plaisance. Geof, Anne, Emma Burbidge, Marc-Andre Lafontaine, Chelsea QC To access this area from HWY 417 east of Ottawa, go north on 9 from the St Isadore exit, and continue through St. Isadore towards the north. The road still may be officially closed but it should be passable as you approach the bridge where road 9 crosses the South Nation River. Once over the bridge it is an immediate right on Concession 12. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Rattray Marsh & Turtle Creek: early morning 17 March 2008
David Hallett did Rattray Marsh yesterday afternoon and it was very luck-luster. This morning from 7:15 to 8:45 a.m. was a totally different story. Along Turtle Creek where it crosses Bexhill I found 3 Black-crowned Night-herons, 3 Purple Finches, two Red-bellied Woodpeckers and one Yellow-rumped Warbler. At Rattray Marsh, at the bottom of the hill off the parking area there were a total of 8 Yellow-rumps in three small groups with as many Golden- crowned Kinglets feeding at the tops of balsam poplars. In the flooded area just across the boardwalk near the pumping station I found a male Black-throated Green Warbler. On the marsh there was a Common Moorhen along the dense edge of cattails at the very northern-most end of the marsh ... it was weaving in and out of the cattails and often lost from view. Sparrow-wise a descent, but modest, showing: Song, Lincoln, Swamp, Fox and White-throated, all in small numbers. Single Caspian Terns were seen over the marsh and on the lake off Turtle Creek. Off-shore, small numbers of Common Loons, Red-necked Grebes and Horned Grebes. Directions: Go south down to the end Bexhill which runs south of Lakeshore about 5 long blocks east Erin Mills Parkway; park at the metal gate The marsh and knoll trail start at the bottom of hill from the parking area. This gets you into, more or less, the middle of main area of the marsh. Find a street map to orient yourself and/or follow the the trail map inside the park. Glenleven Park is located on the west side of Bexhill about half way between Lakeshore and Nautalix ... down stream you can bird a large part of the floodplain from the road. For those who want to visit the site for the first time or simply want to know where all the trails area, Mississauga has a map of the marsh and surrounding trails on their web site: 'http://www.creditvalleycons.com/recandleisure/maps/rattray.pdf'. Wayne Renaud ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Longspurs in breeding plumage- Melbourne
There are a good number of Lapland Longspurs on Hyndman road west of Melbourne, which have apparently stayed for a week in the same field. It is a great photo-op for serious photographers to get them in breeding plumage without going way north. From 401, west of London, go north on Melbourne road, to Hyndman. Turn west,(left), and travel along Hyndman to where the hydro lines cross the road.Just before you get to them, on North side of road, there is a cornfield. The birds can be seen between the rows. I was there yesterday evening and found a good spot to watch was where there is a pond by the fence on the south side, in a ploughed field. The birds frequently fly across the road, visit the pond and sit around on clumps of dirt. They can be heard singing. Melbourne can also be reached from highway 2 locally. Travelling east or west on #2, go north in Melbourne to Hyndman, (second road,) and turn west. Ann White ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Hermit Thrush cameo
As Spring migration brings in several new faces to my back garden, I was able to catch a brief glimpse of a Hermit Thrust who hopped on to my fence mid afternoon yesterday and posed for about 10 seconds before hopping down onto my neighbour's lawn. My house is in the Port Union area of Scarborough. Keith Sharp ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Rattray Marsh 16 April
I took my birding club from school to Rattray Marsh yesterday afternoon and we saw the following: 3 Red-necked grebes offshore 1 Pied-billed grebe in the lagoon 4 male and 1 female Northern Shovelers Kevin Norbury ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Greater Snow Geese - Green Valley
For those who are keeping track, I am posting an update on the count of Snow Geese present along Cty Rd 34 at Green Valley earlier this week. A review of sequential pictures of birds on the ground indicated that there were over 22,000 birds, not the 12,000 mentioned (the field estimate was conservative). This would make it the third largest single flock recorded. Together with the birds further north along the South Nation River the same day, there are likely 30,000 birds in Eastern Ontario this week. As noted in yesterday's Ontbirds post, no Snow Geese were observed at this particular location on Wednesday, but birds are still in the area. Brian Morin Cornwall Cty Rd 34 is just south of Green Valley and can be accessed from the south via Hwy 401 at Lancaster (east of Cornwall), exit 814 and from the north via Hwy 417 exit 35. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
